Coupling



Nov. 30 1926. 1,608,633

A. SUNDH COUPLING Filed March 8 1924 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR miwz ATTORNEYS Nov. 30 1926. 1,608,633 A. SUNDH.

' COUPLING Filed March 8, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 X INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .iriiuau INVENTOR ILHIEL HIHJEHIE!" A SUNDH COUPLING Flled March 8 1924 Nov. 30 1926.

Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

oarrso stares nueuscr serum, or

HASTINGS-"UPOII-HUDSON, NEW YORK.

' courrrne.

Application filed March 3, 1924. Serial No. 697,732.

My invention relates to an improved mechanism in which stresses are transmitted from one member to another, and an object thereof is to provide an improved structure adapted for use wherever flexibility or shock-absorbing characteristics are desired.

My improved mechanism may be used for transmitting power from one member to another or may be used for merely flexibly connecting two members" together, but, for the sake of clarity, I will hereinafter refer to my improved apparatus as a flexible couplingP.

In the drawings, presently to be described, I have shown several embodiments of my invention--one embodiment showing the invention applied as a coupling for-coupling two members together ,where considerable power is exerted on the'coupling, while in other embodiments of my invention illustrated I have shown the same applied to the spring shackles of an automobile wherein the apparatus is employed chiefly for flexibility and shock-absor ing purposes.

So far as the application of my apparatus to spring shackles is concerned, I might say that heret fore it has been customary to connect the utomobile spring to a rigid bolt forming a part of the spring shackle and usually termed a shackle bolt. Inasmuch as two setsof springs are provided, one at each side of the chassis of the automobile. it becomes necessary to provide two shackles, with the result that when the car is travelmg over uneven surfaces, suchas an uneven road bed. great stress-particularly what might be termed a twisting strain-is brought upon the shackle bolts. This results in wear on the bolts and, of course, subjects the chassis to uneven strains, which are very undesirable and, as a matter of fact. often results in breaking of the springs. This trouble is all obviated by incorporating any ii'np roved structure. as will be clearly pointed "out hereinafter.

In general. mv improved apparatus comprises two yielding members interposed be- 7 tween the two members to be attached to each other. these yielding members being interthreaded, so to speak, and adapted"to yield under stress.

Specifically, my improved apparatus comprises a resilient annular system interposed between the two members to be connected or coupled, this annular system consisting of two or more springs having their convolutions intermeshed and so shaped that the spring members will yield under load longitudinally so as to permit of retarded, relative, radial movement of the members composingthe annular system.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 shows in sectional elevation one embodiment of my invention;

Fig.2 being a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3 isa. fragmentary sectional elevation of a modified form of my invention;

Fig. dis a sectional elevational view showmg my invention applied to a hoist;

of spring shackles of an automobile;

Fig. 6 is a view on the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a further modification and shows a modified form of my apparatus applied to the spring shackles of an automobile, and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 7.

Referring first of all to Figs. 1 and 2, 1 designates a load-supporting or load-carrying member, which may be in the form of a shaft. for example. secured in any suitable manner to a member 2. 3 designates the load which is to be resiliently attached to or carried by the member 1. and interposed between the member 3 and the member 1 and surrounding the member 1 is a resilient annular system comprising two springs 4 and 5, the convolutions of these springs intermeshing or nesting. The spring 5 is larger in diameter than the spring 4, and hence might be said to telescope the same, and the convolutions 6 of the spring 4 are positioned between the convolutions 7 of the larger spring 5. The cross-section of the convolutions of these springs is tapered, the apex 8 of the taper in both instances being at the periphery of the springs. This arrangement provides wedge-shaped surfaces adapted to effect a gradually increasing resistance to relative axial movement of the two springs constituting, in the present instance, the resilient annular system of my improved apparatus.

The springs i and 5 are enclosed in a sleeve 9 held in place on the member 1 by an end-plate 10. The opposite end of the sleeve 9 is preferably also provided wlth a similar plate 11. The load 3 is attached to this sleeve.

It will be seen from the foregoing that Fig. is a part sectional elevational view my improved apparatus applied to the at 42. '40 I provide a third spring, also helically ting of yielding action in all directions when the apparatus is in use.

roman inspection of Fig. 8 it will be seen that the shackle arms 35 and 36 receivcarried on this bolt at each end thereof and ,on the inner side of the shackle arms 35 and pered in cross-section similar to the constructlon shown in Fig. 3, for example. Surrounding this spring is another helically-.

wound spring 40, the convolut-ions ofv which nest with the convolutions of the spring 39. The convolutions of the spring 40 are tapered in cross-section, as indicated at 41 and On the outside of the springs 39 and wound, designated 43. The convolutions of this spring nest with the convolutions of the spring 40 and are also tapered in cross-sectionQ At each end of this annular system I provide washers 44 and 45 loosely fitting the shackle bolt 33, the face of these washers adjacent the washers 37 and 38 being convexed and co-operating'with the concaved faced the washers 37 and 38. Between the plates 44 and 45 and surrounding the springs 39,

40 and 43. I provide a sleeve 46, and to th s sleeve. is secured the spring '34. The spring 34 is adapted to have a sliding action relatively to the end plates 44 and 45, this sliding action being cushioned by the spr ngs 39, 4O and 4'3,'this cushioning action being controlled by the springs themselves, and when the'spring 34 is moved in a direction toward the shackle bolt 33, it will be apparcut that the helically-wound spring surrounding the shackle'bolt will effect a gradually increasing resistance to this movement. By providing the convexed end plates 44- and 45 which. as above noted, loosely fit the shackle bolt 33, a certain amount of twisting between the spring 34 and the shackle bolt is permitted, this twisting, action also being cushioned bv the springs 39, 40 and 43;

whereby the destructive strains which are now imposed upon the shackle bolt 33 and the shackle arms 35 and 36 .will be elimiif nated or .greatlyreduced'. In other words, I have provided practically a universal connection between the spring 34 and the spring shackle, permitting substantially between the spring and the shackle. It will be understood that the nested springs 39,. 40 and 43 elongate when the spring 34 and shackle bolt 33 move relatively and, consequently offer resistanceto this relative movement, this resistance gradually increasing as the springs elongate.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided improved mechanism by which two members may be coupled or at tached to each otherto thereby relieve theing the shackle bolt 33 above referred to and of universal movement springs, said springs stresses transmitted.

two attached members of injurious shocks and stresses, these shocks and stresses bemg taken up by the nested resilient members which are interposed between the two members to be attached toeach other. It will be seen alsothat in all the forms of my invention here illustrated and above described, a more or less universal relative movement is permitted at all-times, this universal movement, however, being controlled by the conis to say, by the particular form of mechanism employed. It will be seen also that in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, for instance, an improved construction for attaching an automobile spring or springs to the chassis has been provided, wherein the great stresses on the shackle and shackle bolt, due topresent constructions,-

2. In an apparatus in which stresses are transmitted from one part to another, yielding means interposed between said parts and consisting of helically-wound nested springs so constructed and arrangedas to yield longitudinally under stresses transmitted from one of said parts to the other of said parts.

In amechanis'm in which. stresses are transmitted from one part to another part at an angle thereto, means providing a yielding connection-interposed between said two parts and adapted to yieldproportionately to the stresses, said means consisting -of intermeshed springs adapted to'vield longitudinally in all directions.

In a mechanismin which stresses are transmit-ted fromone part to another part transversely thereof, interposed intermeshed resilient members for transmitting stresses rom one'of said parts to the other of said parts, the intermeshed portions of said retsilient members being tapered in cross-sec- -1on. i

5.. In a mechanism in which stresses are transmitted from onepart toanother pai't' transversely thereof, yielding means between said parts consisting of helically-wound being positioned relaother to cause the convoluyield proportionately to the t1vely to each tions thereof to 6. In a mechanism in which stresses are transmitted from one part to another part, yielding means between said parts consistmg of helically-wound springs having their necting or coupling apparatus itself,-that &

convolutions interthreaded or nested and arranged to yield longitudinally when subjected to transverse stresses.

7. In a, mechanism for transmitting stresses from one part to another part in a direction transverse to one of said parts, interposed springs, the convolutions of which are shaped to permit of nesting of the convolutions and to permit of resilient relative movement of said interposed springs when the first mentioned parts move relatively.

8. In a mechanism. in which stresses are transmitted from one part to another part, yielding means between said parts consisting of helically-wound springs of difi'erent diameters having their convolutions interjmeshed and adapted. to transmit stresses from one of the first mentioned parts to the 0 her of the first mentioned parts in a direc ion transverse to the yielding means, said yielding means yielding longitudinally under the action of said stresses.

9-. In a mechanism in which stresses are transmitted from one part to another part yielding means interposed between said parts and Consisting of helically-wound springs, one larger in diameter than the other, and having their convolutions intermeshed, the outside diameter of the convolutions of the inside spring being smaller than the outside diameter of the convolutions of the outside spring whereby relative movement of the two parts between which stresses are transmitted by saidsp'rings will cause the springs to yield longitudinally.

1O. In a mechanism for yieldingly attaching two members together, resilient means interposed between the said two members and comprising two'hiel'ically-wound springs having tapered convolutions. the convolu-* tions of one spring intermeshing with the convolutions of the other spring,- whereby relative movement of one of the first men tione d two members transversely will cause said springs toIelongate, the resistance to elongation of the springs controlling the relative movement thereof.

11. In combination two members, a'pair of interposed resilient members for attaching these two members to each other, one of said two members having movement transversely of the resilient members,- and a third member interposed between the resilient members and intermeshing'therewith to control the relative movement of the two tirst-i'nentioned members.

12. In combination two members to be attached to each other, a pair of interposed resilient members. a helically-wound intermediate member intermeshed with the convolutions of said interposed resilient members, the c'onvolutions of .the resilient members and of the intermediate member being tapered whereby a. gradually increasing resistanoe will be ofiered to the relative more,

- ment between the bolt, :1. housing mounted on said shackle volutions of said resilient members being taperedfiin cross-section, and an intermediate helically-wound resilient member having tapered convolutions and intermeshing with the tapered convolutions of the interposed resilient .members, one of the two members first mentioned having movement transversely of the interposed resilient members, a gradually increasing resistance to this movement being offered by the-engagement'of the tapered convolutions of the in- Lutions of the two interposed resilient memers.

14. In combination a shackle bolt, :1. spring, and a yielding connection between said shackle bolt and spring and comprising superimposed intermeshing springs for permitting relative movement between said shackle bolt and spring.

15. In combination a shackle bolt, a helically-wound spring carried thereon, a spring to be yieldingly attached to said shackle bolt, and a helically-wound spring interposed between the last-mentioned spring and the first-mentioned 'helically-wound spring, the convolutions of the helically-wound springs intermeshing to permit of controlled movespring and shackle bolt. 16.111. combination a shackle, a shackle bolt, a spring, a housing carried by said shackle bolt, and two intermeshed springs within: said housingand interposed between the housing and shackle bolt to yieldingly connect the shackle and the firstmentioned spring.

'17. In combination a shackle. a shagknz o ahd having a twisting movement relatively to said shackle bolt, and intermeshed springs interposed between the housing and shackle bolt for controlling this twisting movement of the housing relatively to the shackle bolt.

18. In combination a shackle, a shackle bolt, a housing, end members for the housing having a bearing in said shackle and adapted to be moved in said bearing, a spring at tached to said housing, and intermeshing nested springs interposed between said housing and shackle bolt, said nested springs con- .termediate' member with the tapered convoing the spring and frame of the automobile and comprising a housing, a shackle bolt passing through said housing and helieallywound nested springs in said housing and cooperating to permit a yielding action in all directions between the spring and frame of the automobile.

21. In combination a shackle, a shackle bolt, a housing on said shackle bolt, a spring attached to said housing, intermeshed springs between said housing and shackle bolt, said housing being mounted on said shackle bolt for movement relatively theres to, said movement being said intermeshed springs.

22. In combination a shackle, a shackle bolt, a housing on said shackle bolt and hav ing movement relatively thereto, a bearing in said shackle for said housing, a spring controlled by the mounted on the exterior of said housing, and

intermeshed springs mounted within said housing for controlling the relativetmovement between said housing and shackle bolt.

This specification February, 1924.

AUGUST SUNDH.

signed this 28th day of 

